Nilathingal Thundam Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – The Temple

Nilathingal Thundam Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – The Temple

Nilathingal Thundam Perumal Temple is a small shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located inside Ekambareswarar Temple Complex. Lord Vishnu graces the devotee in Vamana Moorthy. The shrine is praised in Nalayira Divya Prabandham and hence, considered as one of the 108 Divya Desams. The shrine is situated to the north east of Ekambareswarar shrine within the inner prakara of the Ekambareswarar temple. This Temple is the only temple of Lord Vishnu where the poojas are done by the Saivite priests.

Presiding Deity is called as Nilathingal Thundathan / Chandra Chooda Perumal. He is in standing posture with Sapthagnaga. This shrine faces West, while the Ekambareswarar shrine faces the East. As Lord was cured by Lord Shiva, pujas to Perumal are performed in accordance with Saivite codes.  To reduce the excessive heat in his body, perfumed oil is applied instead of abisheks.  

Mother is called as Ner Oruvar Illavalli Nachiyar / Nilathingal Thunda Thaayar. As he came alone here for a remedy, there is no shrine for Mother.  However, Mother Mahalakshmi is worshipped in a formless manner (Ner Uru Illa Thai – Mother without a form as she is believed merged with the Lord). There is no separate shrine for the consort of Lord Vishnu, neither there is any separate festival image. 

Mother Mahalakshmi has her abode in the heart of Lord Vishnu on the left.  Here, she graces the devotee from the naval chord lotus of the Lord generally belonging to Lord Brahma. The Vimanam (tower above the sanctum sanctorum) of Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal Temple is called as Purusha Suktha Vimanam. The Pushkarini (temple tank) of this Temple is called as Chandra Pushkarini.